Ultimate coverage, ultimate adaptability.

The original Oakley Radar was a sports optics game-changer when it landed in the pro peloton in 2007. It was exceptionally lightweight, offered an excellent fit under a wide variety of cycling helmets, and the carefully sculpted design was simultaneously aggressive and universally wearable. The Radar did a lot of things right, but taking advantage of the frame's lens interchangeability was, more often than not, tedious at best, and required a flowchart at worst. It was almost easier to simply own multiple pairs for different applications than to try changing the lenses. To put an end to this frustration, Oakley introduced the Radarlock Path -- a subtly redesigned Radar, quite possibly the quintessential sporting sunglass.

Lay the two next to each other, and you'll notice that the geometry, frame profiles, and signature earstem exhaust ports of the original Radar and the new Radarlock are more or less the same. But that's about where the similarities end. The Radarlock is constructed from the same lightweight O-Matter polycarbonate, but the earstems are now constructed from several different pieces, giving them a more dramatically sculpted design that grants a slightly greater degree of outward flex. The O-Matter hinges are now tensioned, giving them a slight spring when opening or closing. Oakley also opted to terminate the Unobtanium rubber earsocks a bit further from the stem tips to give the glasses a better fit with many helmet retention systems, and also to leave room for perforations that allow fitment of a retention strap (sold separately).

As evidenced by its name, the Radarlock is characterized by Oakley's Switchlock technology, which allows you to change out the lens quickly and efficiently. Due to the Radar's unique Polaric Ellipsoid shield lens geometry, the mechanism is a little different than what you'd find on the Jawbone or Fast Jacket, but very simple nonetheless. Simply engage the slider switch on the inside of the left temple, and pivot the earstem towards the inside of the lens to open the clamp. This relieves all of the mechanism's clamping pressure which enables you to slide the lens out of the frame groove and the notches on the opposing temple. If it seems like all of the switching and hinging is over-engineered to simply change out a shield lens, you'd be correct. But remember that every Oakley design that leaves their Foothill Ranch factory must not only meet, but exceed the rigorous standards set by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). So not only must Switchlock ensure easy lens swapping, it must also ensure the lens remains snugly in place to protect your eyes at high impacts like these.

What good would safety standards be without near-perfect clarity? Oakley's patented High Definition Optics (HDO) boasts some of the best clarity in the industry. Part of the beauty of Switchlock is that the mechanism evenly distributes the clamping force over the lens to prevent any potential optical distortion. Like all of Oakley lenses, the optically-correct lenses of the Radarlock are constructed from pure Plutonite, Oakley's proprietary polycarbonate that not only blocks all harmful UV-A, UV-B, UV-C, and harmful blue light up to 400nm, but is also the heart of the impact resistance of which Oakley so proud. Each lens is finished with a hydrophobic treatment that repels moisture buildup from water or sweat, and contaminants like fingerprints or smudges from sunscreen.

The same two Radar lens profiles -- Pitch, and Path, of the Radarlock are identical to those of Oakley's previous Radar. However, note that the lenses are not interchangeable between the two models, as the Radarlock utilizes a different series of notches to secure the lens to the frame. As before, the Radar Path is a universal, medium-sized lens designed to tuck just over the contours of your cheekbones to really hug your face. If you prefer slightly larger coverage and want a more rounded profile that dips a bit further lower on your face, try the Pitch.

The Radarlock Path sunglasses are available in four package options, with each frame coming with a lens ideal for sunny riding conditions, and another contrasting lens for low-light conditions. Choose between Matte Heather Grey with Grey and G30 Iridium lenses, Polished White with Jade Iridium and Yellow lenses, Polished Black with Black Iridium and Persimmon lenses, or Silver with Ice Iridium and Persimmon lenses. Note that both lenses included with the Matte Heather Grey, Polished White, and Silver frames are slotted along the brow for maximum ventilation.

The glasses come in Oakley's carry case, along with a microfiber travel bag that doubles as a cleaning cloth. The glasses also come with two sets of soft Unobtanium nosepieces to best customize fit.

Comment on Kevin Is On Foot's photo:

Best sport sunglasses I have come across

Familiarity:
I've put it through the wringer

Fit:
True to size

I really like these. I got them at my LRS on team discount and I couldn't be happier. The lens switching is easy, and they work for my face really well. One of the interchangeable nose pieces was the right size for me, and they are really secure on my face. I run in these. The styling is neat, pretty simple, sturdy. I'd wanted these for a long time. I got the silver and ice iridium variant, and the ice iridium lens is a good dark lens.

Comment on Kevin Is On Foot's review:

Dare to be different!

I have been wearing Oakley sunglasses since the late 1980's. I have accumulated so many pairs over the years that I have an entire dresser designated solely for my Oakley's.

In the late 1990's I was able to purchase a very rare pair of the XMen Ruby red Juliettes that were featured in the first XMen Movie.

The stylish looks, comfort, lightness and contoured fit of the Radarlocks are great.

Almost all of my other lenses are Fire Iridium, Ruby Red, and yellow. These Jade Iridium lens are a departure from the bold reds and yellows. The blue is subtle and soothing. One negative. The Jade Iridium is not offered with a Polarized lens.

Comment on WesB's review:

in the product description you speak of...

in the product description you speak of optional fitment of a strap, any strap in particular that you could recommend, cant find an official one from Oakley themselves besides this one http://nl.oakley.com/products/6873/25847 Not sure if I would work? (I've got the XL Straight stem) Thanks a Bunch for the replay!! Thanks a Bunch for the response /Erik

Uh, there is a wind gasket accessory for the split jacket frame on the oakley site, and you would get both the strap and the stupid wind guard. But it's relatively inexpensive, and will fit the ends of the radarlock frame. http://www.oakley.com/products/6873/25847

Comment on Jamie Preston's review:

when the best gets better

If you owned multiple pairs of Radar sunglasses because changing the lenses was more trouble than it's worth, listen up. There's a lot of praise that could be heaped upon the Radarlock, but at the end of the day, the most important fact is that it is a significant and wholly justified upgrade over the original Radar - and one that doesn't come at the expense of sacrificing what makes the Radar platform the ultimate sporting frame.